I swear, this Two Week Wait (2WW) is longer than the one after ovulating (and conceiving my DS) back during my only month TTC in 2009! I'm not even TTC right now and I am bored and ready for the 2WW to end!!! Bring on AF!!! I'm ready to get started with this "harvesting" cycle!!! SO excited and anxious to know how many girl eggies we'll have waiting on ice after Genesis performs PGS. All my meds are here and waiting to be used!!! I'm expecting AF to arrive probably Mon-Wed next week. SO soon!!! SO excited!!! Crossing my fingers BIG TIME that my thyroid cooperates and will be at a level low enough for me to cycle!
SO SOON NOW!!!! YAY!!!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
+OPK & Updates!
Updated the Price Li$t and Test Results posts!!! We now have a price tag on this cycle's medications and we got the results of MY genetic test. Also, today I got a +OPK and a "peak" reading on my CBEFM! Which means AF is only 10-14 days away... thus beginning my first cycle (as long as my TSH is OK). It is weird, I keep forgetting that my TSH is so high. I keep thinking that I am definitely going to cycle in a few weeks b/c of all the work and planning I've done... I keep forgetting it might not happen. That is such a bummer. I guess it is best to think happy thoughts and accept the bad if it happens. Better than thinking the worst the whole time! Getting a + OPK was such a surprise! I don't know why b/c last cycle I got a +OPK at CD 21 and today is CD 20. I just have been SOO stressed out about everything so I thought that I would either have an anovulatory cycle or be really late. I never expected to be early! Even if it is only by 1 day! lol.
Things are slowly but surely falling into place! Not long now!!!!!! YAY!!!
Blue & Pink: Test Results: I will try to keep a list of all our blood work and test results here on this entry! Semen Analysis : Normal Volume: 3.0 mL
Concentrat...
Blue & Pink: Price Li$t: Keeping a list of the expenses related to Gender Selection for our dream daughter: (OOP: Out of Pocket) (I: Insurance) RBA Consultation wi...
Things are slowly but surely falling into place! Not long now!!!!!! YAY!!!
Blue & Pink: Test Results: I will try to keep a list of all our blood work and test results here on this entry! Semen Analysis : Normal Volume: 3.0 mL
Concentrat...
Blue & Pink: Price Li$t: Keeping a list of the expenses related to Gender Selection for our dream daughter: (OOP: Out of Pocket) (I: Insurance) RBA Consultation wi...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thyroid U/S & Antibodies
So I got the news today that my thyroid u/s was abnormal. There were "multiple nodules" but they were all very small in size. None were larger than 5mm, and they do not worry unless they are greater than 1cm. So I will probably need to have repeat thyroid u/s's every 6-12 months to make sure the nodules do not get any larger. Also, my thyroid antibodies came back elevated. They were 719. And the normal level is anything less than 8.99. All of this leads me to believe I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid causing hypothyroidism. I still have to be on Synthroid though so not much changed despite more results. I will need blood levels monitored possibly forever to keep my TSH within a normal, healthy range. As depressing as it is to think that I'll have a medical condition that needs to be medicated for the rest of my life, I am happy that it is something quite manageable. They are going to test me for Rheumatoid Arthritis since my mother has this disease and it is also an autoimmune disease. The two could be interrelated. I will be devastated if I have RA. Just wanted for the lab order to come in the mail and then I'll go get my blood drawn to test for RA. I am praying hard that the test is negative.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Results are in!
I posted below (test results entry) but I'll post here as well, the rest of my pre-testing lab values are in! Everything looks great! So here are the fertility values:
LH: 4.8
Estradiol: 26
FSH: 5.1
AMH: 6.32
Prolactin: 2.3
Also had my thyroid ultrasound today. I'm not sure what the results are yet, but I did watch the u/s tech measuring a few "dark spots" on my thyroid. I asked her if they were bad (I know she isn't allowed to discuss results but I didn't want to worry for days if it was normal) and she said it was "nothing to lose sleep over", but that my doctor will discuss all the results with me when she receives the official report from the radiologist. She did say that if they haven't called by Friday I could call them b/c the results would definitely be ready by then. Whew! I would hate to have to wait the weekend with NO answers! I'm actually a little nervous now. I went into the thyroid u/s thinking it was just going to be routine and nothing special and now I'm actually a little nervous about the results. I wish I hadn't been watching the u/s monitor! Made me super paranoid that those "dark spots" were something really bad. But if she said I shouldn't lose sleep then I will try not to dwell and worry. (Easier said than done).
LH: 4.8
Estradiol: 26
FSH: 5.1
AMH: 6.32
Prolactin: 2.3
Also had my thyroid ultrasound today. I'm not sure what the results are yet, but I did watch the u/s tech measuring a few "dark spots" on my thyroid. I asked her if they were bad (I know she isn't allowed to discuss results but I didn't want to worry for days if it was normal) and she said it was "nothing to lose sleep over", but that my doctor will discuss all the results with me when she receives the official report from the radiologist. She did say that if they haven't called by Friday I could call them b/c the results would definitely be ready by then. Whew! I would hate to have to wait the weekend with NO answers! I'm actually a little nervous now. I went into the thyroid u/s thinking it was just going to be routine and nothing special and now I'm actually a little nervous about the results. I wish I hadn't been watching the u/s monitor! Made me super paranoid that those "dark spots" were something really bad. But if she said I shouldn't lose sleep then I will try not to dwell and worry. (Easier said than done).
Monday, August 15, 2011
Done with Pretesting!
So it's official!! As of today at 3pm I am DONE with all of my IVF pre-testing!!! I had my last test today, the sonohysterogram (SHG). It went well! It did not hurt one bit. A little bit uncomfortable, but definitely not painful. I barely felt any cramps when the catheter was introduced and the water injected into my uterus. The OB/GYN said that everything looked normal! I got to see my uterus and my ovaries and they all looked normal! Whew!
Now if only I could get the REST of my pre-testing results!!! STILL waiting to hear about my FSH, LH, and Estradiol levels from CD 3. That was a week ago! Erg! I'm not very patient!
I had an allergic reaction to the generic Levothyroxine, so the pharmacy switched me to the brand name- Synthroid. Today I am feeling much better! On Friday my eyes started feeling dry and scratchy, then by Sunday I had hives and my whole face felt itchy and flushed! It felt like I had cats all over me (I'm deathly allergic to cats)! So far I am feeling better instead of worse on the Synthroid. If it was the active ingredient (Levothyroxine) that I was allergic to I would still be getting worse even on the brand name version, but I am feeling better so I think it was something in the generic pill. I had heard of people not tolerating generic Levo well, but I had hoped I wasn't one of them! Guess I was wrong! Now lets hope that my 50mcg of Synthroid a day are doing the trick!!!
I'm getting so hopeful (but trying to stay realistic) that I actually might be able to cycle in a few weeks! If the rest of my pre-testing comes back normal, and my TSH stabilizes then there is a good possibility it will happen! However, I have heard that it may take more than a month for my TSH to come back down to normal as it is a gradual decrease when starting Synthroid. So I'm trying to stay realistic and not get my hopes up too high.
I'll update when I know anything else!
Now if only I could get the REST of my pre-testing results!!! STILL waiting to hear about my FSH, LH, and Estradiol levels from CD 3. That was a week ago! Erg! I'm not very patient!
I had an allergic reaction to the generic Levothyroxine, so the pharmacy switched me to the brand name- Synthroid. Today I am feeling much better! On Friday my eyes started feeling dry and scratchy, then by Sunday I had hives and my whole face felt itchy and flushed! It felt like I had cats all over me (I'm deathly allergic to cats)! So far I am feeling better instead of worse on the Synthroid. If it was the active ingredient (Levothyroxine) that I was allergic to I would still be getting worse even on the brand name version, but I am feeling better so I think it was something in the generic pill. I had heard of people not tolerating generic Levo well, but I had hoped I wasn't one of them! Guess I was wrong! Now lets hope that my 50mcg of Synthroid a day are doing the trick!!!
I'm getting so hopeful (but trying to stay realistic) that I actually might be able to cycle in a few weeks! If the rest of my pre-testing comes back normal, and my TSH stabilizes then there is a good possibility it will happen! However, I have heard that it may take more than a month for my TSH to come back down to normal as it is a gradual decrease when starting Synthroid. So I'm trying to stay realistic and not get my hopes up too high.
I'll update when I know anything else!
Monday, August 8, 2011
High TSH
So I got the results on Friday of my blood work and I got a very unwelcome surprise. My TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was very elevated at 7.79 (normal range 0.5-4.5). I talked to the nurse and she said that Dr. T wants me to get started on a medication called "Synthroid" immediately.
I am very nervous about this b/c thyroid issues can possibly be lifelong. And Synthroid is a medication that I could possibly need to take for the rest of my life. My TSH indicated I have hypothyroidism. Dr. T seemed to think it was either thyroid disease from my family history (an Aunt had hyperthyroidism resulting in a thyroidectomy) or hypothyroidism related to postpartum changes. Apparently having a baby can sometimes mess up your hormones (go figure!). So I'm hoping it is just postpartum hypothyroidism and not thyroid disease. I would hate to require Synthroid for the rest of my life. I hate requiring to take medications every day. I feel healthier the less meds I take. I am currently only on Centrum Silver (a multivitamin) and Folic Acid (a supplement to reduce the chance of neural tube defects).
According to Dr. T I should be able to cycle in September still, but I need to take Synthroid for a full month, have my TSH redrawn, and get results within normal limits. I went to see my primary care physician today to see about having my TSH redrawn (just want to confirm that my TSH is indeed elevated). Much to my dismay she forced me to tell her that I was having IVF for family balancing. She was SOO judgmental! I could tell that she was opposed to the idea. Even though she naturally had a boy then a girl. MUST BE NICE! Stupid doctor. Makes me want to change PCPs! I'm already nervous about the WHOLE process, and now add concern for my thyroid to the list... the last thing I needed was to get judged by my doctor. Ugh. But she did order the re-draw of my TSH and other thyroid levels. She also ordered a thyroid ultrasound to check for nodules (not even going to write the "C-Word". Hopefully those will all be normal and nothing else gets in the way with my September cycle!
I'm SOO excited about the thought that in a little over a month, I will (hopefully) have a little girl embryo (or 2?) on ice waiting to get cozy in my belly!!!! I'm trying to remain optimistic and I think it IS going to happen!!!
My next step with preparing for IVF is to get my sonohysterogram (SHG) done next Monday (Aug 15). Wish me luck!!!
I am very nervous about this b/c thyroid issues can possibly be lifelong. And Synthroid is a medication that I could possibly need to take for the rest of my life. My TSH indicated I have hypothyroidism. Dr. T seemed to think it was either thyroid disease from my family history (an Aunt had hyperthyroidism resulting in a thyroidectomy) or hypothyroidism related to postpartum changes. Apparently having a baby can sometimes mess up your hormones (go figure!). So I'm hoping it is just postpartum hypothyroidism and not thyroid disease. I would hate to require Synthroid for the rest of my life. I hate requiring to take medications every day. I feel healthier the less meds I take. I am currently only on Centrum Silver (a multivitamin) and Folic Acid (a supplement to reduce the chance of neural tube defects).
According to Dr. T I should be able to cycle in September still, but I need to take Synthroid for a full month, have my TSH redrawn, and get results within normal limits. I went to see my primary care physician today to see about having my TSH redrawn (just want to confirm that my TSH is indeed elevated). Much to my dismay she forced me to tell her that I was having IVF for family balancing. She was SOO judgmental! I could tell that she was opposed to the idea. Even though she naturally had a boy then a girl. MUST BE NICE! Stupid doctor. Makes me want to change PCPs! I'm already nervous about the WHOLE process, and now add concern for my thyroid to the list... the last thing I needed was to get judged by my doctor. Ugh. But she did order the re-draw of my TSH and other thyroid levels. She also ordered a thyroid ultrasound to check for nodules (not even going to write the "C-Word". Hopefully those will all be normal and nothing else gets in the way with my September cycle!
I'm SOO excited about the thought that in a little over a month, I will (hopefully) have a little girl embryo (or 2?) on ice waiting to get cozy in my belly!!!! I'm trying to remain optimistic and I think it IS going to happen!!!
My next step with preparing for IVF is to get my sonohysterogram (SHG) done next Monday (Aug 15). Wish me luck!!!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Test Results
I will try to keep a list of all our blood work and test results here on this entry!
Semen Analysis: Normal
AMH: 6.32 (high, but confirmed Dr. T thinks it is good)
FSH: 5.1
LH: 4.8
Estradiol: 26
CBC: Normal
Prolactin: 2.3
TSH: 7.79 (very high. See post about my TSH)
Sonohysterogram: Normal
D & J's Genetic Screens: Came back + as a carrier for a genetic condition called Alpha 1- Antitrypsin Deficiency but I am not a carrier, so our children will not be affected! WHEW! However, we both came + as *affected* (not just carriers) of MTHFR Deficiency. This means all of our children will 100% be affected (again, not carriers, but affected). Not a big deal, but at least we are aware! Only affects women and possibly increases the chance of a neural tube defect during pregnancy. But with folic acid supplements I (and my future daughter) should be fine and have nothing to worry about!!!
Semen Analysis: Normal
- Volume: 3.0 mL
- Concentration: 42 million
- Motility: 56%
- Morphology: 7%
- pH: 7.6
AMH: 6.32 (high, but confirmed Dr. T thinks it is good)
FSH: 5.1
LH: 4.8
Estradiol: 26
CBC: Normal
Prolactin: 2.3
TSH: 7.79 (very high. See post about my TSH)
Sonohysterogram: Normal
D & J's Genetic Screens: Came back + as a carrier for a genetic condition called Alpha 1- Antitrypsin Deficiency but I am not a carrier, so our children will not be affected! WHEW! However, we both came + as *affected* (not just carriers) of MTHFR Deficiency. This means all of our children will 100% be affected (again, not carriers, but affected). Not a big deal, but at least we are aware! Only affects women and possibly increases the chance of a neural tube defect during pregnancy. But with folic acid supplements I (and my future daughter) should be fine and have nothing to worry about!!!
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